Missing doctor Rose Polge, 25, left a note for Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt before she disappeared last Friday, according to ‘persistent rumours’ at Torbay Hospital, where she worked.

Police have refused to deny the rumours, according to The Telegraph.

Dr Polge was a vocal supporter of the junior doctor’s strike.

Polge was last seen on Friday, and her car was discovered in a car park near Ansteys Cove, a shingle beach backed by hillside with thick woodland, at 6pm that day.

PC Pete Giesens, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: ‘We have a variety of units working hard. The search will carry on indefinitely.’

The family of missing junior doctor Rose Polge today said: ‘We would like to thank everyone for their help, hope and kind words. The support we have received from family and friends has been much appreciated, and clearly Rose is loved far and wide.’